MLA

Stojanović, Gospava Risto. "The Role of Education in Reducing the Threat of Nuclear War." Handbook of Research on Examining Global Peacemaking in the Digital Age. IGI Global, 2018. 30-44. Web. 13 Dec. 2017. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-3032-9.ch003

APA

Stojanović, G. R. (2018). The Role of Education in Reducing the Threat of Nuclear War. In B. Cook (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Examining Global Peacemaking in the Digital Age (pp. 30-44). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-3032-9.ch003

Chicago

Stojanović, Gospava Risto. "The Role of Education in Reducing the Threat of Nuclear War." In Handbook of Research on Examining Global Peacemaking in the Digital Age, ed. Bruce L. Cook, 30-44 (2018), accessed December 13, 2017. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-3032-9.ch003

Abstract

We are currently witnessing big problems and conflicts that plague our contemporary society. It is our right and as well as obligation to ask ourselves whether mankind is in danger. Regardless of the fact that a certain country does not possess nuclear weapons, it can be affected by consequences of a nuclear attack. Therefore, the question of nuclear security is important for the whole international community. In that sense, it is important to develop educative projects in the field of nuclear security in all countries, through additional training of lecturers, both for university programs and faculties, as well as for training that would be organized on different levels for various interested groups.

Background

Europe has been engaged in disarmament processes since the late ‘80s, in order to eliminate the risk of indiscriminate weapons dissemination. A new model of humanitarian disarmament is emerging. Civil society, including the youth, has taken part in the security process requiring protection of civilian population from these weapons. Civil society became a partner and interlocutor of the states, the EU and the international organizations such as the United Nations.

The concept of humanitarian disarmament has emerged as a new security paradigm, as a liaison of cultures, to ensure the future of new generations. The involved youth are widening the field of humanitarian disarmament, arguing against nuclear weapons to ensure the security and peace in Europe and the rest of the world. The youth, with a vision of peace and security, need to acquire the skills necessary to directly influence NGOs, civil society, governments and politicians. Their civic engagement also enhances their professional prospects in the humanitarian fields of international relations and security.

During 2015, activities for carrying out a big project of the European Union commenced, named “ICAN Academy: Youth Supports Humanitarian Disarmament”, with the support of Erasmus + and partner organizations from the Republic of Serbia, France and Turkey. The goal of this project is to engage young people in spreading knowledge about the importance of eliminating nuclear weapons in the world. In the Republic of Serbia and Southeastern Europe, this project is implemented by students from an informal group “Youth for Disarmament”, who are, actually, part of a large International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

The project will enable the development of expertise and involvement of young people and their partners from three European geopolitical regions which are likely to establish a common understanding of European security:

Key Terms in this Chapter

Nuclear Security: It is a state of protection of individuals, communities and countries from nuclear threats. It encompasses a series of predefine organizational, technical and technological measures that ensure optimal planning prevention against exposure and danger from nuclear threats.

Nuclear Weapons: They are unconventional weapons that belong to weapons of mass destruction. Those weapons are characterized by high yields, thermal effects and nuclear radiation. This kind of weapon is unique in its explosive yield and threat it brings to the environment and survival of mankind.

Nuclear Security Culture: It refers to expressing readiness to act and behaving in accordance with acquired knowledge and skills in the field of nuclear security, as well as acquired values. It is reflected in recognizing dangers from a nuclear attack, undertaking actions to avoid it, removing danger or referring to subjects that will professionally respond to the attack with the purpose of securing people and the environment.

Nuclear Weapon Testing: It refers to experiments conducted in order to determine the efficiency and yield of nuclear weapons.

The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: It includes prohibiting the development, production, testing, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, deployment, threat of use, or use of nuclear weapons, as well as assistance, financing, encouragement, or inducement of these prohibited acts. This prohibition would deem the possession or use of nuclear weapons illegal, and it would also lead to the complete elimination of such weapons.

Nuclear Winter: It is a hypothesis about a global climate consequence of a potential nuclear war on the Earth, and it would mean a sudden and long-term air temperature drop above the continents so that the Earth would be hit by an extremely cold winter.